JP2021500104A - Methods and devices for applying sealing elements on beverage capsules - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a method for applying a sealing element onto a cup-shaped container of capsules for producing a beverage within a beverage producing device, wherein the container has a bottom wall, a side wall having an outer surface, and an open end. And an annular flange extending from the side wall of the container at the open end, the flange is opposite to the outer surface of the flange that connects to the outer surface of the side wall in the transition region and the outer surface for sealing with the beverage delivery wall. The method comprises an attachment step of attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material onto the outer surface and / or transition region of the annular flange by an attachment device, followed by a thermoplastic polymer material. While the material is still thermoplasticly deformable, it is pressed by a punch die to fit on the outer surface of the annular flange and / or on the transition region to the final shape of the material, thereby attaching the material to the vessel. Includes a pressing step of forming into an annular sealing element. The present invention further relates to devices for performing the method. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

The present invention generally relates to the field of producing beverage capsules containing beverage raw materials for the preparation of beverages such as coffee. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for applying sealing elements onto beverage capsules.

Certain beverage preparation machines, such as coffee machines, are designed to accept beverage capsules with a unique sealing element. The sealing element is placed to exactly match the capsule cage of the machine to ensure a pressure resistant waterproof engagement during brewing. The sealing element avoids the risk of water bypassing the capsule and ensures control of the pressure in the capsule's raw material chamber, thereby ensuring coffee brewing performance. Typically, the capsule comprises a cup-shaped container with a bottom wall, a side wall having an outer surface, an open end, and an annular flange extending from the side wall of the container at the open end. The flange is the inner surface of the flange opposite to the inner surface for sealing with the outer surface of the flange that connects to the outer surface of the side wall in the transition region and the beverage delivery wall such as aluminum foil intended to tear under pressure in the machine. And.

As described in European Patent No. 1654966, the sealing element is applied on the flange of the capsule, specifically on the outer surface of the flange, and on the transition region having side walls. The sealing element can be an integral part or a separate part of the capsule. In the latter case, the sealing element may be detachably attached to the base container, or may be fixed by welding or with an adhesive, or applied in a fluid or viscous form, followed by silicone. As such, it can be cured (eg, polymerized) after application on the outer surface of the capsule.

European Patent Application Publication No. 2012994 relates to a method for producing capsules containing beverage components by injection molding. This process is relatively complex and expensive to implement. Moreover, it is not very suitable for optimizing the amount of encapsulant on the capsule.

European Patent No. 2151313 describes a method for providing a rubber elastic sealing element on a container of a rigid capsule, which method applies a liquid or viscous uncured sealing composition on a rim portion. And the step of heating the sealing composition so that it moves at least partially toward the side wall until the sealing composition reaches the side wall, and the step of curing the sealing composition after moving toward the side wall. Including the step of causing.

However, this method is relatively complex, time consuming, and costly to implement, as it requires heating in the oven for several minutes and then curing. Further, the shape, size, and application area of the sealing element depend on parameters such as the viscosity and surface tension of the sealing material and cannot be sufficiently controlled.

Therefore, the present invention proposes a solution for improving the application of a sealing element onto a beverage capsule, in particular such as its shape, position, size and / or amount of material applied. The purpose is to improve the control of placement of the stop element on the capsule. It also aims to provide a simpler and faster application process.

The goal is achieved by the characteristics of the independent claims. Dependent claims can further develop the invention and provide additional advantages to the core concept.

In one aspect, the invention is a method for applying a sealing element onto a cup-shaped container of capsules intended to produce a beverage within a beverage producing device, wherein the container has a bottom wall and an outer surface. The present invention relates to a method having a side wall having a side wall, an open end, and an annular flange extending from the side wall of the container at the open end. The flange comprises a flange outer surface that connects to the outer surface of the side wall in the transition region and a flange inner surface that is opposite to the outer surface for being sealed by the beverage delivery wall.
This method
An attachment step in which the molten thermoplastic polymer material is attached onto the outer surface and / or transition region of the annular flange by an attachment device.
Subsequently, the thermoplastic polymer material is adapted to fit on the outer surface of the annular flange and / or on the transition region, preferably to the final shape of the material, while the material is still plastically deformable. Includes a pressing step of pressing with a punch die, thereby forming the material into an annular sealing element attached to the container.

Therefore, in contrast to the traditional sealing element application process, the final configuration of the sealing element is better controlled while keeping the process simple. Specifically, a very small amount of encapsulant can be handled and successfully adapted to the encapsulating element of the capsule.

The pressing step may include pressing the thermoplastic polymer material into the final shape of the material by pressing a circumferential punch die containing a continuous annular press surface against a mass of the thermoplastic polymer material. The punch die may have a flat, sloping, or convex pressed surface in contact with the thermoplastic material. The shape of the pressed surface can be adapted to the shape of the capsule container and the desired molding result. The final shape, thickness, surface structuring and / or coverage surface area can be more precisely controlled by the sealing element on the surface of the container.

In one mode, the attachment step involves attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material into a single circumferential open or closed piece of molten material. The punch-die pressing process then ensures dimensional alignment of the sealing element along the perimeter of the flange and continuity when the portion is open.

In the second mode, the attachment step involves attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material into two or more separate parts arranged in a circle. In this mode, preferably, the punch-die pressing process stretches the material of the part that is joined in the circumferential direction on the flange to ensure dimensional consistency and continuity of the sealing element along the outer circumference of the flange. to be certain.

In one aspect, the attachment step comprises attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material by an attachment device comprising any one of the following:
Circumferential pouring nozzle that matches the size of the circumference of the flange,
A moving nozzle that displaces along the circumference of the flange,
Multiple nozzles arranged along the circumference of the flange.

Therefore, different types of nozzles can be used to carry out the methods of the invention, and the nozzle type does not necessarily have to be an important factor in achieving satisfactory adhesion results.

In a preferred mode, the attachment step attaches the molten thermoplastic polymer material by an attachment device comprising a circumferential pouring nozzle and a central recess configured to contain the capsule container at least partially. Including letting. The advantage is essentially that it reduces the number of parts, facilitates easier and more accurate adhesion onto preformed cup-shaped containers, and facilitates subsequent continuous pressing of the sealing element. Specifically, the flow rate control is easier and it is not necessary to control the flow rate (eg, capsule or nozzle) during adhesion according to the rotational speed. This is because the two are stationary when attached.

The amount of adhesion of the molten thermoplastic polymer material may be controlled differently depending on the configuration of the nozzle. Specifically, the amount of material adhered may be controlled at least partially by the opening time of the outlet nozzle. Alternatively, the amount of material adhered may be controlled by the pressure time applied to the unidirectional dispensing valve of the nozzle.

According to the present invention, the thermoplastic polymer material is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) or other soft thermoplastic polymer (eg, soft polypropylene).

The thermoplastic elastomer may be selected from the group consisting of the following.
Styrene-based resins (S-TPE or TPE-S or TPS, the main examples of TPS are SBS and SEBS),
Copolyester (COPE, or TPE-E or TPC),
Copolyamide (COPA),
Polyurethane (TPU or TPE-U),
Polyamide (PEBA or TPE-A or TPA),
Polyolefin blend (TPO or TPE-O),
Polyolefin alloy (TPV or TPE-V),
Reactor TPO (R-TPO),
Polyolefin Plastomer (POP),
Polyolefin elastomer (POE)
And combinations of these.

The polymeric material may generally be foamed or non-foamed after solidifying to form a sealing element on the container. The material is generally selected to be softer than the material of the container at ambient temperature (20 ° C.). The material of the capsule container is generally an aluminum alloy or a food grade thermoplastic polymer or a combination of both. When the capsule is made of a thermoplastic polymer, the polymer in the capsule container is harder than the polymer in the sealing element.

The melting temperature depends on the thermoplastic polymer material and the pressure in the attachment device, but can generally vary from 150 ° C to 260 ° C, more preferably 170 ° C to 245 ° C.

The present invention is also a device for applying a sealing element onto a cup-shaped container of capsules intended to produce a beverage within a beverage producing device, wherein the container has a bottom wall and a side wall having an outer surface. The flange has an open end and an annular flange extending from the side wall of the container at the open end, and the flange is a flange outer surface connected to the outer surface of the side wall in the transition region and an outer surface for being sealed by the beverage delivery wall. The device is equipped with a flange inner surface on the opposite side.
An attachment device for attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material onto the outer surface of the annular flange and / or onto the transition region.
The molten thermoplastic polymer material is pressed to fit on the outer surface and / or transition region of the annular flange, preferably to the final shape of the material, thereby attaching the material to the vessel. A press device that molds the ring-shaped sealing element
For devices, including.

Preferably, the press device comprises a circumferential punch die with a continuous annular press surface for pressing a mass of thermoplastic material. The pressed surface preferably has a substantially flat, sloping, convex or concave shape. The generally convex pressed surface has the advantage of providing a sealing element that fully compensates for the surface or geometric irregularities of the closed surface of the capsule cage of the beverage machine. The generally concave or flat pressed surface can produce a circumferential sealing ridge that can accurately fit the closed surface of the capsule cage. Generally, a sloping surface brings the material towards the transition region of the capsule container (such as the capsule described in European Patent No. 2151313) where the presence of encapsulant can be most effective for the encapsulating function. Can be adapted. In addition to the general shape, the pressed surface may include smaller structures such as ridges and / or slits and / or droplets. The ridges and / or slits and / or droplets can be oriented in the circumferential, radial, or other directions. Thereby, the sealing performance of the sealing element can be further improved.

Preferably, the press device is cooled by cooling means. The cooling means may include a cooling fluid jacket embedded or associated with the press device. This advantage is to increase the production rate by coagulating the sealing element faster and facilitating the handling of the capsule, and to reduce the risk of dust contamination of the sealing element.

The attachment device includes a circumferential pouring nozzle and a central recess for at least partially accommodating the capsule container. This device is simpler and provides accurate adhesion of small amounts of polymeric material (eg, less than 100 mg), after which the encapsulating elements facilitate continuous pressing.

Circumferential dispensing nozzles are circular by an annular dispensing outlet or along a circle with a diameter that is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the transition region of the capsule vessel. It is composed of a plurality of annular or cylindrical outlets arranged.

Specifically, the attachment device may include an inner portion, an outer portion, and a pouring passage between the inner portion and the outer portion. The two parts are coaxial and the inner and outer parts are configured to move axially with respect to each other between the closed position and the open attachment position.

The inner portion may be a reciprocating portion and the outer portion may be a stationary portion in order to open and close at least one spout. Conversely, the outer portion may be a reciprocating portion and the inner portion may be a stationary portion in order to open and close at least one spout. Both the inner and outer portions may reciprocate to open and close at least one spout.

The attachment device may further include heating means within the inner and / or outer portion. The heating means may include at least one electrical resistance or heated fluid channel.

It is a flowchart of the possible method of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the attachment device. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the attachment device and attachment process before attachment. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the attachment device and attachment process during attachment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an attachment device in which a nozzle is opened when a molten thermoplastic material is attached onto a container of a capsule. It is a top view of the container of the capsule to which the molten thermoplastic material is continuously attached before molding the sealing element. It is a top view of the container of the capsule to which the molten thermoplastic material was attached discontinuously before molding the sealing element. It is a top view of the container of the capsule which has a sealing element after molding. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the punch die apparatus. It is the schematic of the molding process by a convex punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by a convex punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by a flat punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by a flat punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by a concave punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by a concave punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by the inclined punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by the inclined punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by a corrugated punch die. It is the schematic of the molding process by a corrugated punch die. FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a molded seal after being molded by a structured, eg, spike-shaped, structured punch die.

Description of Specific Aspects and Embodiments of the Invention:
First, an example of the method and apparatus of the present invention can be described in relation to FIGS. 1-9.

The application method according to the present invention includes applying the sealing element 2 onto the cup-shaped container 1 of a beverage capsule. As shown in FIG. 1, in this method, in general, the step 100 of melting the thermoplastic material 3, the bonding step 200 of adhering the molten material onto the cup-shaped container 1, and the plastic deformation of the adhered thermoplastic material are performed. The step 300 is included, and the step 400 of optionally cooling the molded thermoplastic material to produce a cured sealing element is included. Subsequent molding after cooling is preferred, but not completely excluded.

Generally (FIG. 3), the cup-shaped container 1 has a bottom wall 6, a side wall 7 having an outer surface 8, an opening end 9, and an annular flange 10 extending from the side wall of the container at the opening end. The annular flange 10 includes a flange outer surface 11 connected to the outer surface 8 of the side wall in the transition region 12. The flange further comprises a flange inner surface 13 opposite to the outer surface 11 for sealing with a beverage delivery wall (after the container is filled with the beverage raw material).

In the modes of FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachment device 4 comprises a circumferential attachment nozzle 5 that can be opened to eject the molten material and closed to stop pouring it. It is illustrated. However, other modifications are possible, such as a moving nozzle that moves when adhering along the perimeter of the annular flange, or a plurality of independent adhering nozzles distributed around the circumference of the capsule flange 10.

The attachment device 4 comprises a support subassembly 14 configured to fit into the cavity of the container, especially via an open end, so that the container of the capsule is received at a defined position. The device may include an attachment subassembly 15 with an attachment nozzle 5. The attachment subassembly is coaxial and can both include an inner portion 16 and an outer portion 17 that define a flow path 18 of the molten material communicating with the peripheral nozzle 5. The two parts are axially relative to each other (along axis I, which also represents the longitudinal axis of the vessel) to ensure nozzle opening for attachment and nozzle closure for stopping attachment. It is possible to move to.

In this embodiment, the inner portion reciprocates axially between the open and closed positions of the adhesion nozzle. The outer part remains stationary. The inner portion may be fitted with a central mandrel 20 that moves axially within the bore 21 of the outer portion.

The inner portion preferably comprises a central recess 19 configured to accommodate the capsule container so that the attachment nozzle is as close as possible to the attachment area of the container. The position of the nozzle and the shape of the recess with respect to the flange may be adapted as a function of the desired final position and / or shape of the sealing element.

The molten thermoplastic material can be held in the adhering device in a molten state by the heating means. The heating means may be arranged in the outer portion and / or the inner portion. In this example, the heating means may be at least one electrical resistance and / or at least one heating fluid conduit 23 embedded in the outer portion.

The molten material can remain pressurized in the attachment device, such as by mechanical pressure devices and / or hydraulic devices. The pressure device may also be outside the device, such as placed in a remote melting reservoir of molten material. It may be a piston or screw device configured to deliver the molten material into the flow path 18, for example via conduits 25, 26. The melting of the material may also be initiated remotely and delivered to the attachment device through the flow path 18. The polymeric material may be delivered to the molten reservoir or device in the form of powder or pellets.

4 and 5 show the adhesion operation. When the inner portion 16 retracts, the circumferential attachment outlet 24 is opened, allowing the molten material to flow down from the nozzle and adhere to the outer surface 11 of the flange. For example, an annular string 27 of the molten material is generated and adhered onto the surface until the nozzle is closed by returning the inner portion to the initial position of sealing contact with the outer portion.

The flow of material is controlled by the outlet opening (size and opening time). Such controls make it possible to attach small amounts of molten material of only a few tens of milligrams. Typically, the opening time is a few milliseconds and the exit width is a few tenths of a millimeter.

The adhesion region on the container can be changed by changing the diameter of the inner portion 16 or the recess 19, and the material can be attached, for example, at the transition region 12 of the flange and the side wall of the capsule container.

FIG. 6 shows a continuous adhesion mass 27 of the thermoplastic material after and before molding. The mass is attached by an attachment nozzle forming the annular outlet 24, which, at the open position, is continuously open along the entire circumference of the nozzle and is bounded by an inner and outer portion.

FIG. 7 shows a mass formed by the circumferential arrangement of the plurality of adhered portions 27a to i by the sealing polymer material before molding. These portions may be arcuate or a plurality of very small point polymers separated by a short distance. These portions are attached by an attachment nozzle that forms a plurality of annular outlets bounded by an inner and outer portion. For example, outlet separation can be obtained by a particular structure within the relief and / or depression of the nozzle formed by the inner and / or outer portions 16, 17.

FIG. 8 shows the sealing element 2 applied onto the capsule container after molding. By molding, the portions 27a-i can be stretched to such an extent that adjacent portions contact or overlap in the circumferential direction of the flange to provide a final continuous form of sealing element.

The molding operation may be performed by a press device 28 as shown in FIG. The press device may include a punch die 29 having a continuous annular press surface 30 arranged to face the adhered polymer mass 27. The press device is also configured as an inversion cup with a central recess 31 so that the cup-shaped body 1 of the container can be accommodated without pressure or deformation. As a result, the pressure applied by the punch die is concentrated only on the thermoplastic material of the sealing element, which is formed into the final or at least semi-final shape. Stamping is applied, for example, at temperatures above its glass transition temperature, while the thermoplastic polymer is still thermoplastic and can be plastically deformed without cracking or cracking. The device may include, for example, a rod 33 connected to, or part of, a hydraulic ram or an electric ram (not shown). The cooling means may be embedded in the press device or may be associated with it. For example, the fluid cooling circuit 32 can be managed within the punch die.

10 to 20 show various configurations of the forming surface 30 of the punch die of the press device for forming the thermoplastic material into the sealing element. The molded surface may be configured to deform, resize, and / or move the material so that the optimum configuration of the sealing element is obtained as a result of the molding operation.

In the examples of FIGS. 10 and 11, the molding surface 30 is substantially convex to provide a sealing element having a concave sealing surface. A portion of the encapsulant is moved to the transition region 12 of the vessel and a portion of the material can cover the annular portion 34 of the side wall.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, the molded surface 30 is generally flat so that the encapsulating element extends flat across the flanges, so that the encapsulating element has a wider surface while slightly reducing its thickness. Covering.

In the examples of FIGS. 14 and 15, since the sealing element having a substantially convex shape is formed, the molding surface 30 has a substantially concave shape. The molding surface may further include two recesses 35, 36 on the surface, thereby forming two circumferential ridges 37, 38 of the sealing element 2. The two circumferential ridges 37, 38 may remain connected after molding (as shown), or during molding, the two independent protrusions 39 of the molding surface 30. It may be separated into the sealed portion.

In the examples of FIGS. 16 and 17, the molded surface 30 is inclined so as to move the main amount of the encapsulant toward the side wall. The molding surface may be further flat, convex, or concave, depending on the need for molding with the optimum sealing design. In this example, the inclined surface is slightly convex because the sealing element is moved and deformed to position the larger thickness of the sealing element in the transition region 12 between the flange outer surface 11 and the side wall outer surface 8. ..

In the examples of FIGS. 18 and 19, the molded surface has a general shape (eg, flat, convex, or concave) and a structured finish. This structured finish may be, for example, a series of small circumferential parallel grooves 40. Many other structured surfaces are possible.

For example, in FIG. 20, the forming surface of the punch die is configured to form a plurality of small droplets 41 as reliefs or recesses.

Claims (15)

A method for applying a sealing element onto a cup-shaped container of capsules intended to produce a beverage within a beverage generation device, wherein the container has a bottom wall, a side wall having an outer surface, and an open end. And an annular flange extending from the side wall of the container at the opening end, the flange being sealed with a flange outer surface connected to the outer surface of the side wall in a transition region and a beverage delivery wall. With an inner surface of the flange on the opposite side of the outer surface,
The method is
An attachment step of attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material to the outer surface and / or the transition region of the annular flange by an attachment device.
The thermoplastic polymer material is then preferably in the final shape of the material so that it fits on the outer surface and / or on the transition region of the annular flange while the material is still plastically deformable. The pressing process of pressing with a punch die, thereby forming the material into an annular sealing element attached to the container, and so on.
Including methods. The pressing step comprises forming the thermoplastic polymer material into the final shape of the material by pressing a circumferential punch die including a continuous annular press surface against the mass of the thermoplastic material. , The method according to claim 1. The method of claim 2, wherein the attachment step comprises attaching the molten thermoplastic material to form a single circumferential portion of the polymer material. The method of claim 2, wherein the attachment step comprises attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material to two or more separate portions arranged in a circumferential shape. The bonding step brings the molten thermoplastic polymer material together.
Circumferential pouring nozzle that matches the size of the circumference of the flange,
A moving nozzle that displaces along the circumference of the flange,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which comprises attaching by an attachment device including any one of a plurality of nozzles arranged along the circumference of the flange. The bonding step adheres the molten thermoplastic material by an attachment device comprising a circumferential pouring nozzle and a central recess configured to at least partially accommodate the cup-shaped body of the capsule. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method comprises causing. 4. The amount of adhesion of the molten thermoplastic material is at least partially controlled by the opening time of the outlet nozzle or the pressure time applied to the unidirectional dispensing valve of the nozzle, claim 5 or 6. the method of. The thermoplastic material is
Styrene-based resins (S-TPE or TPE-S or TPS, the main examples of TPS are SBS and SEBS),
Copolyester (COPE, or TPE-E or TPC),
Copolyamide (COPA),
Polyurethane (TPU or TPE-U),
Polyamide (PEBA or TPE-A or TPA),
Polyolefin blend (TPO or TPE-O),
Polyolefin alloy (TPV or TPE-V),
Reactor TPO (R-TPO),
Polyolefin Plastomer (POP),
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin elastomer (POE) and a combination thereof or a soft thermoplastic polymer. A device for applying a sealing element onto a cup-shaped container of capsules intended to produce a beverage within a beverage generation device, wherein the container has a bottom wall, a side wall having an outer surface, and an open end. And an annular flange extending from the side wall of the container at the opening end, the flange being sealed with a flange outer surface connected to the outer surface of the side wall in a transition region and a beverage delivery wall. The device comprises an inner surface of the flange opposite to the outer surface.
An attachment device for attaching the molten thermoplastic polymer material onto the outer surface of the annular flange and / or onto the transition region.
The molten thermoplastic polymer material is pressed to fit on the outer surface and / or on the transition region of the annular flange, preferably to the final shape of the material, thereby. A device comprising a press device for forming the material into an annular sealing element attached to the container. The press device comprises a circumferential punch die with a continuous annular press surface for pressing the mass of the thermoplastic polymer material, such a press surface is preferably flat, sloping, convex. The device according to claim 9, which has a concave shape or a concave shape. The device according to claim 10, wherein the press device is cooled by a cooling means. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the attachment device comprises a circumferential pouring nozzle and a central recess for at least partially accommodating the container of the capsule. The circumferential dispensing nozzle is provided by an annular dispensing outlet or along a circle having a diameter substantially equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the transition region of the container of the capsule. 12. The device of claim 12, which is composed of a plurality of annular or cylindrical outlets arranged in a circumferential shape. The attachment device comprises an inner portion, an outer portion, and a pouring passage between the inner portion and the outer portion, the two portions being coaxial, and the inner portion and the outer portion. The device according to claim 12 or 13, which is configured to move axially with respect to each other between a closed position and an open attachment position. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the attachment device includes a heating means in the inner portion and / or the outer portion.

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